Charles Martin, believed to be one of the oldest living people in the Wirral region, marked his 107th birthday on July 23 with an unforgettable surprise celebration orchestrated entirely by the staff of Ward 27 at Arrowe Park Hospital. Born in 1919, the former Royal Air Force serviceman and dairy manager was treated to a ward transformed with colourful balloons, festive decorations, and a custom cake, surrounded by his loving family, fellow patients, and dedicated NHS team.
A Birthday to Remember
The hospital staff went above and beyond to ensure Charles felt special on his milestone birthday. The ward was decorated to create a party atmosphere, and a cake bearing congratulations was presented to him. Charles received a card from Their Majesties The King and Queen, as is tradition for those reaching such an age. Overwhelmed by the generosity, Charles expressed his gratitude: “It was wonderful that the hard-working staff on the ward came together to celebrate my birthday. I was shocked to see the fuss they made. It was so nice. They all work so hard and it was very kind of them.”
A Life of Service and Sport
Charles Martin has lived an extraordinary life spanning more than a century. During the Second World War, he served in the Royal Air Force, where he learned to play baseball alongside American counterparts. After the war, he became dairy manager at Swan Hill Dairy, a historic Wirral business that supplied milk to approximately 40,000 households across the peninsula. A lifelong sportsman, Charles played football at both Anfield and Goodison Park in his younger years and continued playing golf at Heswall Golf Club until the age of 100. Even at 107, he enjoys doing his own shopping with support from his carers and keeps his mind sharp by completing crosswords and maths puzzles daily.
Secrets to Longevity
When asked the secret to his long life, Charles simply attributed it to “Sixty years of happy marriage.” His son, Paul Martin, thanked the Ward 27 team for making the occasion special: “We are very appreciative of the efforts of the staff to celebrate Dad’s birthday. It just shows the value of the NHS, where the staff go the extra mile to provide not just brilliant clinical care but celebrations like this.”
Gratitude from Family and Hospital
Janelle Holmes, chief executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, shared her pride in the team: “It was a privilege to celebrate Charles' incredible 107th birthday with him and his family. Charles has lived an extraordinary life and it was wonderful to see our Ward 27 team come together to make his birthday so memorable. Moments like these reflect the compassion, kindness and person-centred care our staff provide every day. We are incredibly proud of our colleagues for going the extra mile to make Charles feel so special, and on behalf of everyone at the Trust, I would like to wish him a very happy 107th birthday.”
The celebration on Ward 27 highlighted the dedication of NHS staff who not only deliver clinical excellence but also create meaningful human connections, ensuring patients like Charles feel valued and cherished on their most significant days.
